Description of Fashion in the 1980s

The beginning of the decade was marked by the New Romantic movement and later by fashion inspired by heavy metal bands, including teased hair, ripped jeans and neon clothing. Some clothing and mens hairstyles had influences from the 1950s, especially in the first part of the decade.The decade also had some influences in the the 1970s. While in the 1970s, the silhouette of fashion tended to be characterized by close fitting clothes on top with wider, looser clothes on the bottom, this trend completely reversed itself in the early 1980s as both men and women began to wear looser shirts and tight, close-fitting pants.Men wore power suits as a result of the greater tendency for people to display their wealth. Men also grew mustaches due to the influence of television shows like Magnum, P.I.. Many leading sports stars sported mustaches. Medium-length hair was common for men, while the longer haircuts of the 1970s went out of fashion and the close-cropped men's haircuts that became popular in the late 1990s and 2000s were generally derided, as shown in scenes from the Police Academy blockbuster film. However, very long hair for men became fashionable in the late 1980s due to the influence of Heavy Metal music.Brand names became increasingly important in this decade, making Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein household names.After the release of her single Like a Virgin in late 1984, Madonna was titled the "Material Girl" and many young women around the world looked to her for fashion statements.The popular 1983 movie Flashdance made ripped sweatshirts well-known in the general public. The television shows Dallas and, in particular, Dynasty also had a similar impact, especially in the area of the increasingly oversized shoulder pads.